Banks across Europe are grappling with the operational demands of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) updated intraday liquidity guidelines, according to a recent industry evaluation conducted by real-time liquidity management leader Planixs.
Launched in late 2024, the ECB’s framework sets a new industry benchmark for liquidity risk management. It mandates banks to monitor liquidity in real time, analyse granular data, and establish strong governance structures. With 76 detailed expectations laid out, financial institutions face growing pressure to revamp their intraday processes or risk facing sanctions, regulatory censure, or the requirement to hold more costly liquidity reserves.
This marks the first instance of a regulator issuing such an explicit and structured mandate for intraday liquidity capability. The ECB’s document clearly defines the operational standards banks are expected to meet. As it was developed in consultation with regulators worldwide, institutions outside the Eurozone may also find it a useful reference for enhancing their own frameworks.
Nonetheless, while the ECB’s guidance brings much-needed clarity, many banks are still struggling with how to convert those expectations into actionable strategies and technological upgrades.
In response, Planixs has published a detailed industry study titled Mastering Intraday Liquidity: ECB Guidelines as a Catalyst for Change, which outlines the common hurdles and provides strategic advice for institutions working toward full compliance.
“The ECB’s guidelines are not just another compliance exercise; they’re a wake-up call for banks to modernise their intraday liquidity capabilities,” said Pete McIntyre, Director at Planixs.
“But awareness alone isn’t enough. The real question for banks isn’t ‘what does the ECB expect?’—that part is clear. The challenge is execution: identifying capability gaps, closing them efficiently, and ensuring continuous compliance as the regulatory environment evolves.”
As the financial world grows increasingly real-time, merely fulfilling regulatory requirements is no longer sufficient. Institutions must aim for data integrity, rapid operational response, and foresight in managing liquidity risks.
Planixs recommends a unified approach to liquidity management, incorporating cross-departmental data integration, real-time tracking, and predictive analytics to avoid disruption. However, many firms still contend with disjointed systems, outdated infrastructure, and fluctuating risks — all of which complicate and increase the cost of compliance.
“We encourage banks not to wait for a regulator review but to act now. This is about more than passing an inspection — it’s about future-proofing operations and thriving in an increasingly real-time financial world,” said Pete.
“Institutions that take a proactive approach to intraday liquidity management can reduce funding costs, improve operational agility, and strengthen their market position. Many forward-thinking banks are already using this regulatory shift as an opportunity to enhance efficiency and profitability.”
With intraday liquidity now firmly in the regulatory spotlight, Planixs continues to support banks at all stages of their journey—whether assessing current capabilities, identifying practical steps for compliance, or embedding long-term resilience. The full report, Mastering Intraday Liquidity: ECB Guidelines as a Catalyst for Change, is available by clicking here
